Play in the snow

Finally, winter is here, the ravens seem to think. With their beaks buried deep into the snow, rolling around or jumping in the air to catch snowballs, they just seem to have a great time.

 

 

 //Helena

Secret places

The aviaries can look quite boring and rubbishy this time of year, with old shoes and boots lying around. But when you take closer look...

...you find than an old rubber boot can be the perfect hiding place for a piece of grilled chicken. Especially if you cover the chicken with a dried leaf.

//Helena

New year

Mathias has spent most of the Christmas writing up several papers, and I have been busy analyzing film for one of the studies - more about that in another blog post.

The ravens are doing fine, although I think they would have been happier with lots of snow. They seem to be in a good mood, with the breeding season approaching.

Today I introduced a box that will be part of an experiment on physical cognition, and all of a sudden our companionable ravens were gone!

Perching on the highest branches, peering down on the unfamiliar thing with great skepticism.

Juno, my most faithful friend, accepted to come down and sit on me - and feed on frolic - but she didn't dare to stay if I kneeled by the box. Let's hope that the habitation process will be quick this time...

//Helena

Ravens' cage anno 1829

Last week, Mathias, Ivo and Can attended the ASAB winter meeting in London. The meeting focused on recent research on The Evolution of Behavioural Mechanisms and was held in the Zoological society of London. Next to the Zoological Society is London zoo, where this 19th century raven cage can be found.

However beautiful, it's good to know that contemporary London zoo considers it too small to house ravens or king vultures. (Click on the picure to read the sign).

//Helena

Visit by Sydnytt

Yesterday, Bernard Mikulic from the regional tv-news Sydnytt visited the research station. It seems as if the ravens are getting used to media, because they were quite comfortable with both Bernard and his camera!

//Helena

Approved by the county administrative board!

This week, the raven facility was inspected by the county administrative board, which functions as a representative of the state in their respective counties. According to the The Animal Welfare Act (SFS 1988:534) all animals kept in captivity "shall be treated well and shall be protected from unnecessary suffering and disease. Animals shall also be accommodated and handled in an environment that is appropriate for the animal and which permits natural behavior" (CAB:s web site), and it is the task of the county administrative board to control that this is complied. The inspector was very nice and proficient, and she was impressed by the spacious aviaries. Of course this made us happy, but also a bit sad, as one could wish that many more animal enclosures would keep a better and bigger standard.

//Helena

Naturhistoriska riksmuseet

This week Mathias was in Stockholm to give two talks at "Naturhistoriska Riksmuseet". The museum has just inaugurated a permanent exhibition called "Djuret människan" focusing on the similarities and differences between humans and other animals. Apart from the talks Mathias has also contributed with information to the exhibition...and do you recognize the loving couple on the big screen behind Mathias? Yes, it is Siden and Juno.

//Helena